Assad can leave power as part of negotiated settlement – Deputy PM

PanARMENIAN.Net - A senior Syrian official held out the prospect Tuesday, Aug 21 that embattled President Bashar al-Assad could leave power as part of a negotiated settlement to the increasingly ferocious conflict, AFP reports.

The surprise comments by a Syrian envoy visiting Moscow emerged after U.S. President Barack Obama ratcheted up the pressure on Damascus over its chemical weapons arsenal and the fate of its autocratic leader.

"As far as his resignation goes - making the resignation itself a condition for holding dialogue means that you will never be able to reach this dialogue," Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Qadri Jamil said after talks in Moscow.

But he added: "Any problems can be discussed during negotiations. We are even ready to discuss this issue."

According to political sources in Damascus, Jamil was sent to Moscow to discuss a possible plan for presidential elections in Syria in which all candidates would be allowed to stand, including Assad.

The exiled opposition umbrella group the Syrian National Council said it was studying the formation of a transitional government, but did not elaborate on whether it could include regime figures.

The West has long demanded Assad's departure, accusing him of butchering his own people during a 17-month conflict that began as a peaceful uprising but has deteriorated into a brutal fight between regime forces and armed rebels.